Starter/alternator assembly of internal combustion engine and method for controlling thereof

An apparatus for starting an internal combustion engine in a motor vehicle, said starting apparatus comprising:

• an internal combustion engine;
• a starter/alternator assembly operatively coupled to said engine and capable of being operated in a starter mode for starting said engine and in a generator mode for generating electric power when driven by said engine for supplying electrical power to an electrical load equipment, said starter/alternator assembly including a starter/alternator machine drivingly connected to said engine;
• an electronic system controller provided for controlling said starter/alternator assembly;
• and
• an engine speed sensor for monitoring a rotational speed of said engine, said engine speed sensor electrically connected to said electronic controller;
• wherein said electronic controller is provided for producing an engine cranking indicative signal if said engine speed decreases, producing an engine start indicative signal if said engine speed increases after said engine cranking indicative signal was produced, and disabling said starter mode of said starter/alternator assembly in response to said engine start indicative signal, and said electronic controller is further provided for enabling said generator mode of said starter/alternator assembly after said starter mode of said starter/alternator assembly was disabled.

A method for controlling a starting apparatus for an engine, said starting apparatus including a starter/alternator assembly capable of being operated in a starter mode for starting said engine and in a generator mode for generating electric power when driven by said engine for supplying electrical power to an electrical load equipment, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) enabling said starter mode of said starter/alternator assembly;
• (b) energizing said starter/alternator assembly in said starter mode;
• (c) monitoring a rotational speed of said engine;
• (d) producing an engine cranking indicative signal when said speed reaches a first threshold value;
• (e) producing an engine start indicative signal when said speed decreases to a second threshold value if said engine cranking indicative signal was produced;
• and
• (f) disabling said starter mode of said starter/alternator assembly if said speed reaches a third threshold value after said engine start indicative signal was produced;
• wherein,
• said first threshold value is bigger than said second threshold value and said third threshold value is bigger than said second threshold value.

An apparatus for starting an internal combustion engine in a motor vehicle, said starting apparatus comprising:

• an internal combustion engine;
• a starter/alternator assembly operatively coupled to said engine and capable of being operated in a starter mode for starting said engine and in a generator mode for generating electric power when driven by said engine for supplying electrical power to an electrical load equipment, said starter/alternator assembly including a starter/alternator machine drivingly connected to said engine;
• an electronic controller provided for controlling said starter/alternator assembly;
• and
• an engine speed sensor for monitoring a rotational speed of said engine, said engine speed sensor electrically connected to said electronic controller;
• wherein said electronic controller is provided for producing an engine cranking indicative signal when said speed reaches a first threshold value, producing an engine start indicative signal when said speed decreases to a second threshold value if said engine cranking indicative signal was produced, and disabling said starter mode of said starter/alternator assembly if said speed reaches a third threshold value after said engine start indicative signal was produced, wherein said electronic controller is further provided for enabling said generator mode of said starter/alternator assembly after said starter mode of said starter/alternator assembly was disabled.